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The Ovarian Cancer Alliance of Ohio (OCAO) is an advocate for those affected by ovarian cancer

Our mission is to promote early detection of ovarian cancer with advocacy, education, awareness, and public outreach to improve outcomes and help save lives. We also work to support women who have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer as well as their family members.

Our vision is to have the best volunteer workforce that embraces our core values and mission. We work with people touched by ovarian cancer to help communicate our mission. Our brand is based on integrity and credibility. Our plan is to grow by welcoming more volunteers for committee positions and organization events. Our fundraising success allows us to meet our strategic plan, vision and mission.

Advocacy, Education, Awareness and Public Outreach

We strive to improve outcomes for the ovarian cancer community by working with policy makers and other ovarian cancer advocates. By building these relationships, we hope to improve the lives of those affected by ovarian cancer.

We believe that the best way to prevent ovarian cancer is to know the symptoms of the disease and what factors put a woman at a higher risk. OCAO places high value on educating women and healthcare providers, which can help save lives until early detection tests are available. We help raise awareness by relaying our message through local campaigns and events, we work to make ovarian cancer and its symptoms known. OCAO identifies the serious nature of ovarian cancer to all women through communication. We utilize mass media outlets to heighten the public’s awareness of our mission. These tools assist with communicating the importance of early detection.

These business entities proudly support OCAO by making monetary and in-kind donations as well as helping us support our survivors with quality-of-life endeavors.

GotBins provides a hassle-free approach to move, store or organize your life. Their bins are engineered from the ground to keep belongings safe and secure while holding up to 8,000 lbs. of material. Bins come in three different sizes with two week or monthly rental options.

Mark Dantzer, a twenty-year Columbus radio veteran, is the morning host on Mix 107.9, Today’s Best Mix. Mark loves live DJ work and was voted “Best of the Knot” as the #1 Wedding DJ in Columbus for 2010. Mark Dantzer Productions books DJs for weddings, reunions, dances and parties all over Central Ohio.

Matt Vant’s photography grew out of a childhood hobby he began in the basement of his grandfather’s home in the suburbs of Boston. His skills and his clientele have grown since those early years and his work can now be seen in homes, galleries and cafes throughout the United States, Germany, England and China. The OCAO is proud to have Matt involved as a signature photographer for events like the Strides for Hope 5K.

Scrubs are a drab. Sparkly Scrubs takes care of that problem and turns drab into fab! Sparkly Scrubs was created with you in mind so you could look and feel great! While working in the medical field for close to 8 years the company’s founder, Esther Weisman, visited many offices all across the country. No matter what part of the country she was in, Esther heard the same complaint — professionals wishing for more fashionable scrubs. Sparkly Scrubs not only caters to the medical and dental fields, but also carries t-shirts and lounge wear which are perfect for students, soccer moms, birthday girls, and our lovable furry friends! If there is a design that you have your heart set on, just drop Sparkly Scrubs a line! They take special orders at no additional charge! When you’re happy, they’re happy.

A card is placed with each turban identifying the names of those who have made them and that they are blessed by a priest. Priests from St. Edward, St. Francis, Blessed Sacrament, St. Leonard, or Our Lady of Mount Carmel bless the turbans and then they are distributed to the oncology/radiation centers in Licking County. The turbans are free to the patients. We have also mailed turbans, per request, to patients in Florida, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, and Maine. We have made home visits and workplace visits for the convenience of patients.

This project has been a blessing that has come to a full circle. Not only do the patients know they are loved and being prayed for, the women who sew, embellish and package, the employees/medical team, and the patients have all felt the love and healing of God’s presence in this ministry. “Joyous” was a beautiful word that a receptionist at one of the offices said describes how people react when either wearing or knowing that someone cares enough to do this for them. It also lifts the spirits of those who work with the patients because it is something positive for them to share with their patients. All donations are tax deductible and a receipt can be given for tax purposes. Soft stretchy knit material, fancy pins, buttons, small butterfly and flower pins, etc., are utilized. Some have made donations “in memory of a loved one.”

Kroger is committed to helping communities grow and prosper. Year after year, local schools, churches and other nonprofit organizations will earn millions of dollars through Kroger Community Rewards. Kroger Community Rewards makes fund-raising easy… all you have to do is shop at Kroger and swipe your Plus Card! Want to give back to the OCAO while shopping for groceries? Simply click here to visit the Kroger Community Rewards website and enroll your Kroger Card under “Community Rewards.” You can search for us by “Ovarian Cancer Alliance of Ohio” or our organization number: #80975. Thank you for helping the OCAO!

Please note that our organization number applies only to Kroger stores affiliated with/located within the Columbus Division. If you shop at a Kroger store located outside the Columbus Division, the number 80975 will not donate to the OCAO.

Make a Noise strives to inform and inspire women about ovarian cancer while honoring those that have gone before us, celebrating those who are fighting the battle, and improving the lives of those who are impacted.

Omega Tau Zeta at Ohio State University

The primary purpose of Omega Tau Zeta is to promote sisterhood, eternal friendships, scholarship, humanitarianism, and Asian-American awareness in the University and in the community. The sorority encourages women to become future leaders and to set high standards for themselves in all aspects of their lives. The also hold an annual Petal by Petal Charity Banquet to support ovarian cancer awareness. All proceeds from the annual event are donated to the Ovarian Cancer Alliance of Ohio.

The Start of Ovarian Cancer Awareness in Central Ohio

The local chapter the Ovarian Cancer Alliance of Ohio (OCAO) began as the Central Ohio Chapter of the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (NOCC) in approximately 1999. One of the initial hallmarks of the earlier fundraising and ovarian cancer awareness campaigns was the 5K Walk for the Whisper. The group also began working with treatment centers, gynecological oncology offices and other various organizations, leaving their mark by providing symptom cards and other educational materials in these offices and at local health fairs.

Over time the name of the annual awareness walk was changed to the Break the Silence 5K Walk/Run. The name change was designed to encourage people to talk about a disease with vague and often silent symptoms. The hardworking women behind the event helped it grow from an average of 500 to 2,000 people coming from all across Ohio.

As Break the Silence grew in size, ovarian cancer awareness also grew and with that, member participation in the NOCC. More women were being diagnosed or had family or friends with the disease. The need to increase awareness and do more at a local level was becoming abundantly clear. However, at the national level, the NOCC had made the decision to stick to the motto “one mission and one voice.” Most money raised at the local level would fund national education and awareness campaigns. This money would not directly help members of the central Ohio community and localized awareness campaigns were not possible.

A New Beginning

In the autumn of 2008, a new board was elected in central Ohio. After countless discussions, the decision was made to break from the NOCC and form a new independent organization. This organization would work at a local level throughout central and southern Ohio to advocate for women with this disease. It would also raise awareness and provide educational programming about ovarian cancer, provide outreach for survivors and their families, and fund national organizations that contributed to ovarian cancer awareness.

The Ovarian Cancer Alliance of Ohio (OCAO) was created as the result of this decision. Organized by nine founding members, the goal was to ensure that the voices of Ohio women who were battling this disease and those of the women who had fought and lost would not go unheard.

The initial nervousness that the break from an established national organization might have negative implications for some sponsors and members couldn’t have been further from the truth. Fundraising in 2009 was on target with 2008 and even stormy weather and ensuing downpour couldn’t deter people from participating in the Strides for Hope 5K Walk/Run.

The separation has also enabled the organization to expand contacts and participate in numerous corporate and community health fairs, engage in public speaking and expand relationships with the treatment centers. Many potential sponsors were previously reluctant or even unwilling to donate funds that would not remain in Ohio.

In addition, it has provided an opportunity to bring more partners into the mix. The OCAO has partnered on more than one occasion with the Sisters Network to raise awareness about ovarian and breast cancer, stressing the genetic link between the two. This partnership allows the OCAO to join the Sisters Network and their other aligned organizations, such as the Susan G. Komen Foundation, American Cancer Society, and Pan Can, among others, to testify about various health care initiatives and how they impact the cancer community at a state legislative level.

Not wanting to eliminate the ability to work at a national level, the OCAO has become a partner member of the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance. This partnership allows all money raised to remain at a local level but provides the OCAO with national news on ovarian cancer regarding legislative initiatives, research and events. It also allows the OCAO to partner with ovarian cancer organizations across the country.

The Ovarian Cancer of Alliance Today

What began as a small walk at Easton Towne Center has now become a growing regional movement that is recognized throughout the Ohio community. This remarkable growth has been sparked by the hard work of members, volunteers and sponsors to further the cause.

KROGER COMMUNITY REWARDS

Kroger is committed to helping communities grow and prosper. Year after year, local schools, churches and other nonprofit organizations will earn millions of dollars through Kroger Community Rewards.

Kroger Community Rewards makes fund-raising easy… all you have to do is shop at Kroger and swipe your Plus Card!

Want to give back to the OCAO while shopping for groceries? Simply click here to visit the Kroger Community Rewards website and enroll your Kroger Card under “Community Rewards.”

You can search for us by “Ovarian Cancer Alliance of Ohio” or our organization number: #80975.

Please note that our organization number applies only to Kroger stores affiliated with/located within the Columbus Division. If you shop at a Kroger store located outside the Columbus Division, the number 80975 will not donate to the OCAO.